Would you rather work for a startup or an already well-established company? Challenge or comfort?

Question

Just being curious about PH community! I have a feeling answers are gonna tend towards challenge :)
Of course, some companies can provide both!

Elen Udovichenko · Accepted Answer

Working in a startup (although not really early-stage - the company has been on the market for over 5 years) and enjoy every part of it! For me, it's a breath of fresh air after working in a well-established but stale company.

Mohammed Imthath · Answer

I would love to work for a startup. All my jobs have been for established companies and would like to know how it feels to grow together with a startup.

Saying that, working for established companies doesn't mean that it will not be challenging. I feel like risk vs reward might be less, but it can also be challenging based on the team/project you are working.

If you are in a small team working on a new product in a big company, it essentially plays out like a startup but with a extra support of a big brother.

Elen Udovichenko · Answer

@elen_u @romaincauchy I guess it's mostly about the freedom. I don't need to wait for my ideas to get approved by 3 levels of management - I can experiment and do what I think is right. As a result, I have a chance to really make an impact - not just be another cog in the machine.

Tarek Dajani · Answer

I work in a well established company, there are various challenges but the flexibility gives me time for consulting and my startup. In a startup, I am sure it would so time consuming I would not be able to do that.

Dhiksha Venkatesan · Answer

Well a balance of both is necessary to step up your career.While a startup lets you dip your toes into a multitude of roles a well established company brings more organisation and planning to the table. At the end of the day however I would pick a startup which has a decent level of structure and organisation.

Ankit Chhabra · Answer

I have worked at an established company and a startup (working currently) both. My growth became stagnant at an established company however at a startup I got a chance to work on some new verticals and tech stack which was very exciting. I feel your work is recognized more in a startup as compared to the established company which in turn is a morale booster and pushes you to give your 200%. Also, I really like the no hierarchy structure where anyone could talk to anybody.

su kaygun sayran · Answer

@imthath_m Agree with this point. An established company can provide a challenge as well. Especially if the company works with fragmented teams that all act like their own startup. I've done both and both have their difficulties and good moments. I'd say everyone should give both a try :)

Daniil Okhlopkov · Answer

I have worked 2-3 years in companies and then switched to my own projects/startups with friends. While I'm young I don't need comfort.

Romain Cauchy · Answer

@elen_u What makes the biggest difference for you? The challenges?

Romain Cauchy · Answer

@tdajani good point here Tarek. Good for you, seems like you spend quite some time focusing on work!

Romain Cauchy · Answer

@imthath_m @su_kaygun_sayran1 very good points, I can but agree with you. I work in a well-established company that has been around for almost 20 years but keeps growing like a startup. New challenges every month, new products to launch, new markets to explore... I feel like it's the best combination!

Would you rather work for a startup or an already well-established company? Challenge or comfort?

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